Rural Koache Homesteads residents beware: Lava from the nearby Kilauea volcano is less than a mile away, and inching closer day by day, geologists warned.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say the lava’s been moving since July 10 at a rate of 800 feet each day, and the threat level to nearby residents has been raised from “watch” to “warning,” The Associated Press reported.
Five-to-seven more days, and the Koache Homesteads could be in real trouble.
Mayor Billy Kenol has declared an emergency, giving local authorities the ability to restrict access to certain spots so that residents can evacuate, AP reported.
Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said authorities are so far keeping the evacuation suggestion just that — a voluntary action. But that could change once the lava gets a definitive five days away, he said.
“It’s very frustrating because even if we look at a five-day period and we tell people to evacuate, it could be weeks before anything happens,” he said, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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